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The Legend of Holly Claus

Holly Claus Children's Book

Published: 2004 Theme: Love Conquers All Best for: 9 and older "It is a failure of courage, and worse yet, a failure of love to relinquish your dreams so easily...Each of us holds within his soul the ability to conquer sorrow, fear, and misery with charity, compassion, and wisdom…. You must find a way to use what your soul knows.” If ever there was a children's book that conveys the deeper meaning of the holiday, this is it. The power of faith in one's dreams, faith in oneself, and faith in goodness, pour out of every page of this book.

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Redwall (Book 1)

Redwall Children's Book

Published: 1986 Theme: Courage, Destiny Best for: ages 8 and up "Mattias cut a comical little figure as he wobbled his way along the cloisters, with his large sandals flip-flopping, and his tail peeping from beneath the baggy folds of an oversized novice's habit. He paused to gaze upwards and tripped over the enormous sandals." I have to admit I was hooked on this children's book with the opening lines even before I realized this was a book about mice and small animals. One of the amazing features of this fantasy children's book is that it is so real...

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Four Dolls: Impunity Jane, Fairy Doll, Holly & Ivy, Candy Floss

Four Dolls - Children's Book

Published: 1963 Theme: Imagination Best for: 4 and over "Dolls are not like us; we are alive as soon as we are born, but dolls are not really alive until they are played with. 'I want to be played with,' said Holly... 'I wish! I wish!'" It is utterly entrancing in each story to be inside the heart and mind of a doll, or the little girl or boy who is taking care of the doll. Each story is unique, each doll is different, and yet ...

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Bridge to Terabithia

Children's Book: Bridge to Terabithia

Published: 1977 Theme: Friendship, Courage Best for: ages 11 and up "He was angry, too, because it would soon be Christmas and he had nothing to give Leslie. It was not that she would expect something expensive; it was that he needed to give her something as much as he needed to eat when he was hungry." When I put this children's book down, my shirt was dampened with teardrops, and I couldn't do anything but sit quietly for a while. I felt like I had just lost my best friend, as Jess had. The impact was astounding...

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The Grey King

The Grey King- Children's Book

Published: 1975 Theme: Good Battling Evil Best for: ages 12 and up "The music of the golden harp," said the blue-robed lord, "has a power that may not be broken either by the Dark or by the light. It has the High Magic in it." Susan Cooper is a fabulous writer. She doesn't ever let it get over the top with bad stuff. The settings are magical, and some of the characters are larger than life...

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Bink and Gollie

Bink and Gollie Children's Book

Published: 2010 Theme: Friendship Best for: 5 - 8 "Bink,"said Gollie, "the brightness of those socks pains me. I beg you not to purchase them." "I love socks," said Bink. "Some socks are more lovable than others," said Gollie." This quirky and fun book is a perfect easy reader. It moves fast, has funny lines, and great pictures...

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Zero Grandparents

Zero Grandparents Children's Book

Published: 2001 Theme: Valuing Grandparents Best for: 6 - 9 "Next Wednesday is Grandparents Day." Calliope dumped all her candy on the table. "And I don't have any grandparents to bring." I love this children's book, because it addresses the precious relationship between grandchildren and grandparents. It reminds us to cherish our past...

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The Story of a Seagull and the Cat Who Taught Her to Fly

The story of a seagull- children's book

Published: 2003 Theme: Celebrating Differences Best for: ages 7 and up "It's very easy to accept and love those who are like us, but to love someone different is very hard, and you have helped us do that. You are a seagull, and you must follow your destiny as a seagull. You must fly." What a beautiful piece of children's literature this book is. Hopefully no one else in the gym noticed the tears in my eyes...

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Serendipity and Me

Serendipity and Me Children's Book

Published: 2013 Theme: Recovering from Loss Best for: girls 11 and up "She's white as a snowball but she's warm, not frozen. She's squishy and soft and sweet as a marshmallow. But she's delicate as an orchid graceful as a ballerina miraculous as an angel. I can't believe my luck." I found this book mesmerizing. I loved the very real descriptions of the effect of the kitten on the young girl, and how she continued to work on opening her dad's heart, who is grieving...

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Just One Bad Line…

Wishing Moon Children's Book

This is a hard blog entry to write. I made a decision not to include in my book reviews a children's book that in some ways has fabulous potential. It's about a young girl who finds Aladdin's lamp, unleashes the genie, and uses her wishes to do good in the world. A great premise, a…